Lex’s mom

My mom had always dreamed of having three children. Having eight siblings growing up, she missed the feeling of constant laughter, tiny footsteps walking around, and the bond of siblings growing up side by side. So after her first child, me, she was ready to keep building that dream.

But fate turned her luck around. Not long after me, she began feeling unwell—subtle aches, fatigue she couldn’t shake. At first, she ignored it, thinking it was nothing. But as the symptoms worsened, she went to the doctor, hoping for reassurance. Instead, she got the news that would change everything: ovarian cancer.

By the time it was found, it was too late to start any sort of treatment. The only way to save her life was to remove her ovaries. My mom was heartbroken, her dream was crushed. I was young at the time and I didn’t remember much, but one memory stuck with me. I remember crawling on the floor, calling out for my mom, but only to look up and see her crying at the kitchen table. 

On the day of the surgery to remove her ovaries, my dad told me that she tried to keep a brave face in front of her family. But behind closed doors, she cried and cried in his arms, devastated, but trying to keep it all together. 

The surgery may have saved her life, but it left scars far beyond physical. The medical bills kept pouring in, and my family got more and more overwhelmed. My dad had to pour more and more hours into his work, rather than at home, taking care and spending time with my mom. He came home exhausted, but still always tried to put a smile on his face. He rarely complained, but deep down, an added guilt came over him that he was missing my childhood. 

With my dad gone most of the time, my mom had to do it all on her own. She fought hard to recover. Despite her own pain and exhaustion, she still gave all of herself to me and my dad.

Those years were not easy, but they showed me the kind of strength my parents had. My mom lost a dream of hers, but she didn’t let that stop her from giving all her love to the family she had. And my dad, through endless hard work and quiet sacrifice, kept us going when things were the hardest. 

Even though they could spend little time together, the daily efforts, and the way they faced this huge challenge together, showed their love. Even in loss, they kept our family together.